In the mid 1970s American paediatric dentists started publishing claims that breast feeding an infant on demand and/or during the night was as dangerous to the infant's dental health, in terms of the production of caries, as the previously established dangers of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. It was argued by some dentists that this danger increased if the infant was breast fed for an extended period of time. Such claims have gained support from many dentists, and their professional bodies, into the twenty-first century. This thesis examines the historical, social, commercial and cultural influences that supported the development of such assertions. It analyses the ways in which expert reinforcement was gained, and scrutinises the scientific controversy as publicly fought in professional journals and other outlets. The thesis also examines the growing status of the dental profession, especially in connection with its claim to specialised scientific and medical knowledge in the production of dental caries. Further, consideration is given to the medicalisation of breast feeding and the associated commercial infant feeding dispute. The thesis attempts to redress the current lack of theoretical analysis of the construction of dental knowledge. To date there has been minimal academic contribution to the history of dentistry; however, the absence of extensive analysis has been advantageous in enabling an original approach to the material.

To determine whether polymorphisms in the GLUT2 and TAS1R2 genes are associated with dental caries, 80 Caucasian individuals were recruited. A clinical and radiographic examination determined 3 caries scores: DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth), DMFT+radiographs and ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System). Associations between genotype(s) and caries scores were analysed. A significant increase in DMFT scores was shown in GLUT2 polymorphism carriers (i.e. GLUT2 risk). Carriers of the TAS1R2 gene polymorphism (i.e. TAS1R2 resistant) consistently demonstrated lower caries scores. Caries scores were significantly decreased in the GLUT 2 Resistant/ TAS1R2 Resistant combined group as compared to the GLUT2 Risk/ TAS1R2 Risk combined groups. Variations in GLUT2 and TAS1R2 genes are associated with risk of dental caries. A possible compounded effect of having both genetic polymorphisms is suggested.

To determine whether polymorphisms in the GLUT2 and TAS1R2 genes are associated with dental caries, 80 Caucasian individuals were recruited. A clinical and radiographic examination determined 3 caries scores: DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth), DMFT+radiographs and ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System). Associations between genotype(s) and caries scores were analysed. A significant increase in DMFT scores was shown in GLUT2 polymorphism carriers (i.e. GLUT2 risk). Carriers of the TAS1R2 gene polymorphism (i.e. TAS1R2 resistant) consistently demonstrated lower caries scores. Caries scores were significantly decreased in the GLUT 2 Resistant/ TAS1R2 Resistant combined group as compared to the GLUT2 Risk/ TAS1R2 Risk combined groups. Variations in GLUT2 and TAS1R2 genes are associated with risk of dental caries. A possible compounded effect of having both genetic polymorphisms is suggested.

Chemomechanical caries excavation is an excellent example of conservative caries removal methods due to its ability to reliably preserve a greater thickness of caries-affected dentine (CAD). Chemomechanical caries removal (CMCR) agents dissolve the denatured collagen fibrils leaving the sound and partially degraded fibrils intact. Also, one of the main advantages of the CMCR method is its characteristic visual excavation end point sign, after this point, the solution fails to become turbid. Chemomechanical caries removal agents are classified based on their chemistry into sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)- or enzyme-based CMCR agents. The aim of this project was to evaluate the efficacy of currently available chemomechanical caries removal methods and their effects on tooth substrate, residual bacteria, and bonding to dentine with either resin- or resin-modified glass ionomer (RM-GIC)-based adhesives. The current project was designed to answer five research questions. The first research question aimed to compare the caries excavation time between CMCR and rotary caries removal methods. According to the outcome of this study, the NaOCl-based CMCR method is more time consuming compared with the enzyme-based CMCR method. Furthermore, no significant difference in caries excavation time was found between the enzymebased CMCR and the caries-detector guided rotary caries excavation method. The second research question investigated the effects of CMCR methods on surface topography, hardness and chemical structure of dentine. The morphological analysis showed that there was no smear layer formed following enzyme-based CMCR; while it was partially absent after the NaOCl-based CMCR method. Also, the Vickers hardness of residual dentine following both CMCR methods was lower than the hardness of dentine following the rotary caries removal method. Moreover, the outcome of this study also revealed that the CMCR methods investigated had no adverse effect on the chemical structure of dentine. The third research question was regarding the evaluation of the antibacterial effects of CMCR agents. Accordingly, a study was conducted on coronal cariesfree dentine discs using a modified non-invasive protocol. This confocal laser scanning microscopy study reported that the enzyme-based CMCR agent (Papacarie) showed an antimicrobial effect similar to 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution (gold standard antibacterial solution). The NaOCl-based CMCR agent (Carisolv) showed a weak antibacterial activity, which could be improved by subsequent application of a silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide agent. The ‘adhesion studies section’ of this project consists of three studies and was conducted to answer the fourth and fifth research questions of this project. The outcomes of the first and second studies showed that surface treatment of dentine with 37% phosphoric acid for 5 seconds had no adverse effect on bonding of RMGIC adhesives to both sound and caries-affected dentine, which addressed the fourth research question. The purpose of the last research question was to evaluate the effect of CMCR method on bonding of MDP-containing self-etch and RM-GIC adhesives to residual caries-affected dentine. It was concluded that CMCR methods had no adverse effects on bonding to dentine and both adhesive systems showed good bond strengths to caries-affected dentine. / published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Dental caries is a widespread global public health problem with significant health and financial implications. The purpose of this study was to determine dental caries prevalence, experience and severity, as well as to investigate disparities by geographic (urban/rural) location, dental health care utilization and oral hygiene practices in seven to eight year old Nova Scotia school children in 2006-2007. The study results demonstrated that over half (57.3%) of the seven to eight year old population was afflicted by dental caries in the overall dentition. Primary dentition caries prevalence was 55%, with a mean deft score of 2.58 ± 0.08 SE. Prevalence of permanent dentition caries was 14%, with a mean DMFT score of 0.26 ± 0.02 SE. The mean defs score was 6.86 ± 0.28 SE and the average DMFS score was 0.47 ± 0.04 SE. Geographic location was not found to have a major influence on dental caries prevalence, experience and severity in this population. However, a significant relationship was observed between dental caries and dental visit frequency, with higher overall caries prevalence and severity among those who visited the dentist less than once per year. Disparities in dental caries were also found by frequency of brushing, with significantly lower caries rates in those who brushed at least twice per day. Health promotion measures such as pit and fissure sealants and topical fluoride application in susceptible and high-risk children, and appropriate health education regarding recommended frequency of brushing twice per day using fluoridated toothpaste, as well as preventive and regular dental visits are merited to help promote children’s overall health and well-being.

No description available.

No description available.

In the mid 1970s American paediatric dentists started publishing claims that breast feeding an infant on demand and/or during the night was as dangerous to the infant's dental health, in terms of the production of caries, as the previously established dangers of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. It was argued by some dentists that this danger increased if the infant was breast fed for an extended period of time. Such claims have gained support from many dentists, and their professional bodies, into the twenty-first century. This thesis examines the historical, social, commercial and cultural influences that supported the development of such assertions. It analyses the ways in which expert reinforcement was gained, and scrutinises the scientific controversy as publicly fought in professional journals and other outlets. The thesis also examines the growing status of the dental profession, especially in connection with its claim to specialised scientific and medical knowledge in the production of dental caries. Further, consideration is given to the medicalisation of breast feeding and the associated commercial infant feeding dispute. The thesis attempts to redress the current lack of theoretical analysis of the construction of dental knowledge. To date there has been minimal academic contribution to the history of dentistry; however, the absence of extensive analysis has been advantageous in enabling an original approach to the material.

In the mid 1970s American paediatric dentists started publishing claims that breast feeding an infant on demand and/or during the night was as dangerous to the infant's dental health, in terms of the production of caries, as the previously established dangers of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. It was argued by some dentists that this danger increased if the infant was breast fed for an extended period of time. Such claims have gained support from many dentists, and their professional bodies, into the twenty-first century. This thesis examines the historical, social, commercial and cultural influences that supported the development of such assertions. It analyses the ways in which expert reinforcement was gained, and scrutinises the scientific controversy as publicly fought in professional journals and other outlets. The thesis also examines the growing status of the dental profession, especially in connection with its claim to specialised scientific and medical knowledge in the production of dental caries. Further, consideration is given to the medicalisation of breast feeding and the associated commercial infant feeding dispute. The thesis attempts to redress the current lack of theoretical analysis of the construction of dental knowledge. To date there has been minimal academic contribution to the history of dentistry; however, the absence of extensive analysis has been advantageous in enabling an original approach to the material.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2001. / Härtill 8 uppsatser.